MaryAnn Caplinger

MaryAnn Caplinger, age 78, of Jefferson City, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at home, following a lengthy illness. She was born August 31, 1933, in Springfield, to Donald and Leota Perdue. She was a 1951 graduate of Jefferson City High School and went on to earn a BA from Southwest Missouri State and an MA from the University of Arkansas. She taught English, speech, and drama in both Missouri and Illinois. In 1964, she was united in marriage to Richard E. Caplinger, who survives at their home. After several years at home raising her children, she returned to the workplace by joining her husband Richard in his business at Caplinger's Clothing for Men. In the following years, she served her church, First Presbyterian, and her community as an ordained elder and deacon, President of the Little Theater of Jefferson City, President of the Downtown Business Association, founding member of the Historic City of Jefferson and the St. Andrew's Society, and Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. In 2011, she and her husband were awarded the Gregory Stockard Distinguished Service Award for their work in historic preservation. In addition, she was a current member of The Tuesday Club and the First Presbyterian Church Choir. Along with her husband Richard, she is survived by her children and their spouses: Mark and Stacey Caplinger, and their children Emma and Andrew; Ruthie Caplinger and Kent Burson, and their children Hollie and George; her brothers and their spouses: Don and Barbara Perdue and David and Teresa Perdue; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 324 Madison Street. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dr. David Henry officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Presbyterian Food Pantry, which serves many needy families in our community. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com